Natasha Patel Barua: From Hospitality Roots to a Rising Star in Public Relations

With a career defined by global exposure, adaptability, and a deep understanding of people, Natasha Patel Barua has carved a distinctive path from hospitality operations to becoming a rising force in public relations and marketing. Her journey reflects not just professional evolution but a seamless blending of communication, creativity, and people-centric leadership.

Natasha’s strong academic foundation set the tone early on. She holds a Master’s degree in International Business and Hotel, Resort & Spa Management from the Swiss Hotel Management School in Switzerland, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality & Event Management from Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom. This educational background prepared her for a career that balances strategic thinking with operational excellence.

Her professional journey spans India, Switzerland, Portugal, the UK and the UAE, offering her a truly international perspective. Beginning in frontline hospitality and food & beverage management, Natasha gained hands-on experience in brand standards, guest engagement, and team leadership. These formative years, including management roles in Switzerland and PR-related positions across iconic Taj properties, laid a strong foundation for her eventual transition into communications.

A seamless shift from F&B to PR and marketing

Natasha’s move into public relations and marketing was both natural and impactful. Her entry into communications began at Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, where she handled social media management, influencer collaborations, and strategic brand visibility initiatives. Her ability to combine on-the-ground operational insight with creative storytelling quickly set her apart.

She further strengthened her marketing expertise in a cluster role with Fairmont The Palm and Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers. In this position, Natasha oversaw 10 social media pages, managed media listings, coordinated brand shoots, and ensured consistent representation across multiple outlets and properties. By the time she stepped into her current role, she had already earned a reputation for reliability, strategic clarity, and creative execution.

Today, as Assistant Public Relations Manager at Fairmont The Palm, Dubai, Natasha continues to elevate brand communication with confidence and finesse, carrying forward her hospitality expertise while establishing a strong voice in the PR landscape.

Driving media relations, PR strategy and influencer engagement

In her current role, Natasha adopts a 360-degree approach to communications, spanning media relations, influencer strategy, launches, and digital leadership.

Strong media and editorial presence:
She ensures accurate and consistent messaging across leading publications, builds lasting relationships with editors and journalists, and secures feature stories, event listings, and timely coverage. Natasha regularly hosts press visits, influencer stays, content creators, and launch previews, driving sustained visibility and buzz for the property.

Influencer and partnership excellence:
Natasha oversees carefully curated influencer collaborations aligned with specific campaigns and outlets. She has also led strategic partnerships with global and regional brands such as Jo Malone, Heinz, Hamleys, and Swiss Arabian, enhancing guest experiences and brand positioning.

Launches and major projects:
She has successfully planned and executed high-profile launches, including BASK Beach Club, Flow & Zest Restaurant, Serenity Spa, and several award-winning concepts. Natasha was also part of the team behind a Guinness World Record event, further reinforcing her capability in managing large-scale activations.

Social media management and digital leadership:
Natasha manages content strategy and day-to-day operations for six active social media channels. From directing photoshoots and defining storytelling angles to ensuring alignment with global Fairmont brand standards, she plays a key role in shaping the hotel’s digital presence. She also works closely with digital agencies to optimize engagement, performance, and growth.

PR-driven award success:
Her efforts have contributed to multiple award nominations and wins across platforms such as What’s On, Hotelier, Time Out, and BBC Good Food. Natasha herself was recognized as F&B Marketing/PR Person of the Year 2025 (Commended Winner) and has been shortlisted multiple times for PR Person of the Year.

A multi-talented communicator shaping the future of PR

What sets Natasha Patel Barua apart is her rare combination of operational hospitality depth, marketing creativity, and PR acumen. Her understanding of product, people, and positioning enables her to craft compelling narratives that resonate with media, audiences, and stakeholders alike.

Her career trajectory reflects consistent growth, strategic leadership, and a genuine passion for communication. As she continues to lead new initiatives, collaborations, and brand-defining projects, Natasha is steadily emerging as one of the most promising names in Dubai’s PR and marketing landscape.

An upcoming star who’s only getting started

From her hospitality education in Switzerland to driving brand visibility for some of Dubai’s most renowned hotel properties, Natasha Patel Barua’s journey is a powerful example of reinvention done right. Her transition from F&B to public relations has been not only seamless but also exceptional.

With her talent, discipline, and forward-thinking approach, the road ahead looks exceptionally bright. Natasha is just getting started—and her impact on the world of public relations and marketing is only set to grow.